Glock 19 Gen4: This is the workhorse of the Glock line. It’s also the preferred pistol of the NYPD as well as United Nations security personnel. The Glock 19 Gen4 is also quickly becoming a favorite among many of the U.S. military’s elite warriors. It’s small enough to carry concealed while still holding an impressive 15+1 rounds on your hip. It’s a great “multi-use” offering from Glock.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.01 inches
OA Length: 7.28 inches
Weight: 23.65 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 15+1
MSRP: $649
Glock 23 Gen4: This .40 S&W pistol is a happy compromise between the full-sized Glock 22 and the subcompact Glock 27. The G23 Gen4 is small enough to be carry concealed while not being too snappy in terms of recoil.
Caliber: .40 S&W
Barrel: 4.01 inches
OA Length: 7.28 inches
Weight: 23.65 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 13+1
MSRP: $649
Glock 26 Gen4: According to Glock, this model was ideal in replacing the old snub-nose Chief’s Specials in .38 Special, as it’s similar in size and weight. This is the perfect backup gun for law enforcement officers who are issued a larger-framed Glock 9mm offering, as it accepts double-stack 9mm Glock magazines. It’s also a great choice for law-abiding citizens who wish to carry full-sized spare magazines.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel 3.46 inches
OA Length: 6.41 inches
Weight: 21.71 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 10+1
MSRP: $649
Glock 27 Gen4: Similar in size to its 9mm cousin, the G26 Gen4, this subcompact packs 9+1 hard-hitting .40 S&W rounds. It also shares magazines with the larger .40 S&W pistols offered by Glock. This is one reason why it’d be a perfect mate or backup for the larger Glock 23.
Caliber: .40 S&W
Barrel: 3.46 inches
OA Length: 6.41 inches
Weight: 21.89 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 9+1
MSRP: $649
Glock 29 Gen4: Here is a whole lot of stopping power in a subcompact package. The pistol’s ergonomics help dampen felt recoil, but you’re definitely going to feel each shot with the G29 Gen4. But it sure as hell beats a can of bear spray any day for the outdoorsy types. A Short Frame (SF) variant is also available.
Caliber: 10mm
Barrel: 3.77 inches
OA Length: 6.88 inches
Weight: 26.38 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 10+1
MSRP: $687
Glock 30 Gen4: The G30 Gen4 is a great choice for those who still love the .45 ACP but want a smaller, more compact option. With over a century of reliable service behind the .45 ACP, you just can’t go wrong. Also, this is another double-stack pistol that can use the full-sized magazines of its larger .45 ACP brethren. An SF version is also available.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel: 3.77 inches
OA Length: 6.89 inches
Weight: 26.3 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 10+1
MSRP: $687
Glock 30S: Originally developed for the Los Angeles Police Department’s Special Investigative Services (SIS) unit, this excellent subcompact utilizes a double-stack frame but borrows the slide from the smaller and thinner Glock 36. It makes for an ideal deep-cover carry option in .45 ACP. The Glock 30S is also a great choice for those who love the outdoors. With the right load and shot placement, it should knock down pretty much anything that might want to pick a fight with you in the middle of the wilderness.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel: 3.77 inches
OA Length: 6.89 inches
Weight: 22.95 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 10+1
MSRP: $637
Glock 33 Gen4: The .357 SIG resembles a 9mm in a bottlenecked .40 S&W casing. It shoots straight, is accurate and is very manageable in such a small package. If you want high velocity and plenty of punch, then the .357 SIG is a great choice for concealed carry.
Caliber: .357 SIG
Barrel: 3.42 inches
OA Length: 6.41 inches
Weight: 21.89 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 9+1
MSRP: $649
Glock 36: A big .45 ACP in a small package, the G36 is perfect for those wanting a hard-hitting caliber in a subcompact carry option. It’s much thinner than its bigger brothers that are also chambered in .45 ACP.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel: 3.77 inches
OA Length: 6.97 inches
Weight: 22.42 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $637
Glock 39: The .45 Glock Automatic Pistol (GAP) is truly a unique type of chambering for a defensive handgun. It provides a wonderful concealed-carry option with plenty of “oomph” for stopping any threat you might face.
Caliber: .45 GAP
Barrel: 3.46 inches
OA Length: 6.49 inches
Weight: 24.18 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $614
Glock 42: With its 6+1 capacity and the proper holster, the single-stack Glock 42 practically disappears when worn on one’s body. It makes for a great backup piece for duty or a discreet standalone concealed-carry option.
Caliber: .380 ACP
Barrel: 3.25 inches
OA Length: 5.94 inches
Weight: 13.16 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $480
Glock 43: The Glock 43 is quickly becoming a favorite among those who want a full-sized caliber option in a pocket pistol. Ideal for a deep-cover carry or for those with smaller hands, the G43 is also light on recoil despite being so small. With proper training and practice, you’d be surprised at how far you can make shots with this gun.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.39 inches
OA Length: 6.26 inches
Weight: 17.95 ounces (empty)
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Fixed
Action: Safe Action
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $580
Most Glocks are not often mistaken for being pocket pistols. And for many years, they were like the old Model T — you could get them the way they were offered and only in black. That doesn’t ring true today, as Glock offers some great choices for the concealed-carry/self-defense market. They even come in different colors and sizes. The Glock 42 in .380 ACP and Glock 43 in 9mm are perfect examples of slim, ultra-concealable pistols. They can slip into the pocket of a pair of pants just like an old snub-nose Chief’s Special.
You can step up from the single-stack Glock pistols to the larger compacts, which run the gamut of chamberings from the 9mm all the way to the 10mm. Sprinkle in more specialized cartridges like the .357 SIG and .45 GAP and you have yourself a wide range to choose from.
Glock’s patented Safe Action system consists of three different internal safeties that must be engaged at the same time for the pistol to discharge. There’s no external safety to disengage, so it’s as simple as draw, point and squeeze. This is one reason why the majority of America’s law enforcement personnel—over 65 percent, in fact—choose Glocks to protect their flocks. These guns are simple to operate, natural to point and have the largest aftermarket support of any single firearms manufacturer. Many of the models also share some parts commonality as well.
If you’re looking for that perfect everyday-carry gun, keep Glock in mind. These are amazing workhorses. They are simple, rugged and easy to use. So, without further ado, let’s look at some great Glock pistols for concealed carry.
For more information, visit Glock’s website .
This article was originally published in ‘Concealed Carry Handguns’ Spring 2017. To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com .